September 16, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has continued its upward momentum into September, with over 75,000 international visitors arriving in the first half of the month, according to the latest figures released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).
Between September 01 and 14, the country welcomed 75,358 tourists, reflecting sustained interest in Sri Lanka as a travel destination. India continues to lead as the most significant contributor to inbound tourism, with 21,389 Indian nationals arriving during this period—accounting for 28.4 per cent of the total arrivals.
Other key source markets during the first two weeks of September include the United Kingdom with 5,714 visitors, Germany with 4,817, China with 4,056, and France contributing 3,834 travellers. These numbers highlight the steady return of European and Asian tourists to the island, particularly as global travel confidence continues to recover.
The cumulative tourist arrivals for the year 2025 have now reached 1,641,881, solidifying expectations that this year may become one of the strongest post-pandemic periods for the local tourism industry. Of this total, India remains firmly in the lead with 346,984 visitors, followed by the United Kingdom with 156,855 and Russia with 120,314.
The month of August saw 198,235 foreign arrivals, marking a significant 20.4 per cent increase when compared to August 2024. This boost underscores a broader trend of recovery and growth in the sector, though concerns remain regarding the consistency of tourist spending.
